Lorne Schroeder. (Saskatchewan New Democratic Party)

By Aaron Schulze

Melfort NDP - Election 2020

Melfort NDP nominee Lorne Schroeder optimistic about second election bid

Sep 25, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Lorne Schroeder said he learned a lot from his last election bid in March 2018.

The farmer from Leroy was the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) nominee in the Melfort by-election, but fell by over 2,400 votes – nearly 60 per cent – to the Saskatchewan Party’s Todd Goudy.

In Saskatchewan’s 2020 general election, Schroeder will be the NDP’s nominee in Melfort and have a second kick of the can to become the riding’s Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).

“I’ve always had a desire to serve the people of Saskatchewan in that way,” Schroeder told northeastNOW. “Abraham Lincoln failed the first two or three attempts in politics, so I thought ‘what the heck.’ I’m not Abraham Lincoln but I’ll give it another go and see what happens.”

The 67-year-old Schroeder believes he can represent the grassroots demographic of the Melfort riding with his conventional and dairy farming experience. He also believes his experience as the reeve for the Rural Municipality of Leroy, chairman of the local school board, and serving on other boards will make him tested for the MLA role.

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While the NDP’s platform is yet to be officially unveiled, Schroeder said it generally addresses investing in people, medium and small business, and education assistance. In the Melfort riding specifically, Schroeder said he’d want to address renovations for the long-term care facility in Watson.

“By investing in people, we’ll not only support them in jobs and training, but we’ll also reduce in the future incarceration, policing, and healthcare costs,” he said.

The Melfort riding, formally known as Melfort-Tisdale, has been out of the NDP’s grasp since 1995. Rod Gantefoer won the riding for the Saskatchewan Liberal Party before the merger with the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan to form the Sask. Party. From Gantefoer, to Kevin Phillips, to Goudy, the Sask. Party has held Melfort since 1999.

Despite the results of the previous quarter century, Schroeder is optimistic of the riding going orange again.

“There are people out there who haven’t decided yet and they’re wanting to get clear platforms from each party so they can make their choice… that’s what we’re intending to do,” he said. “You never enter a competition expecting to lose. It’s our intention to fight a good, clean fight. I know Mr. Goudy personally. We’ve become good friends and he’s a good man, but we have an alternative solution and platform to what the Sask. Party offers, and we intend to present that.”

Campaigning amid the coronavirus pandemic will be different than the 2018 by-election. Schroeder said his team’s social media platforms and letters will be ready shortly. He added that he’ll visit communities within the riding and give residents an opportunity to voice their concerns and questions, with social distancing applied.

The 2020 Saskatchewan general election will be held on Oct. 26.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow